Robert Troy
Question:186. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on a naturalisation application for a person (details supplied). [64115/25]
View answerNaturalisation Applications
Questions (186)
Written answers
The naturalisation application referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants. I want to assure anyone who has an application for naturalisation submitted that the Citizenship Division of my Department is doing everything possible to progress applications as quickly as possible.
It is important to note, however, that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process. Given the importance of citizenship, robust and comprehensive checks must take place on each application. Unfortunately, some checks, such as international checks, can take a considerable amount of time and these are largely outside of the control of the Immigration Service.
For that reason, while, I expect that going forward, that most applicants will receive a decision within one year, this cannot be guaranteed in the case of applications made in any specific year.
Citizenship Division have taken a significant number of steps to improve up the process for applicants. These included introducing an online digital application, online payments, and the introduction of eVetting. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that these changes are reducing processing times.
Applicants can now directly check the status of their immigration application on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at: portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
International Protection
Questions (187)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:187. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of persons currently accommodated in a facility (details supplied); if the occupants are Ukrainian refugees or applicants for international protection; the plans to develop the property into an IPAS centre; to provide details of the property owner and if the property has changed hands since it first started accommodating refugees in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64149/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department does not have a contract for accommodation services at this location, and is not currently examining this property for use for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, or for international protection applicants.
National Security
Questions (188)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:188. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has been made aware that 40,000 rounds of ammunition have gone missing from a Police Service of Northern Ireland facility, enough to fully equip 2,352 handguns; given the potential threat to life in the North of Ireland, and indeed in this State, if he will be engaging with the Executive to determine the circumstances of the incident and seek assurances that all the ammunition will be recovered. [64177/25]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware that Minister Naomi Long has already commented publicly to underline the seriousness of the matter and I fully agree with her assessment.
As the incident occurred in Northern Ireland, it is for the authorities in that jurisdiction to investigate and I understand that a criminal investigation by the PSNI is underway. As a result, it would not be appropriate for me to comment any further on the details of the matter.
In regard to any potential threat to life in the State, there is excellent cross-border cooperation on policing and security matters on this Island and I am satisfied that the Garda authorities will continue to work effectively with their counterparts to tackle any threat that may arise.
Prison Service
Questions (189)
Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin
Question:189. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when works will commence for the new prison planned for Thornton Hall, given the record funding of €2.180 billion for An Garda Síochána, prisons, courts, cyber security and technology; the reason there has been such a significant delay for this development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64246/25]
View answerWritten answers
A record capital investment of €67.9 million is being provided to the Irish Prison Service in 2026 and this forms part of a total capital investment of €527 million for the period 2026 to 2030. €495 million is being provided for capital works to build 1,595 prison spaces by 2031.
This will be the largest ever building programme in the prison estate and will include a new prison on the site of the old Cork prison, a new block in Wheatfield, an additional block extension at Midlands prison, as well as additional spaces at Castlerea, Mountjoy, Cloverhill, Portlaoise, Limerick and Dóchas. It will also fund planning and commencement of the construction of a new prison at the Thornton site in North County Dublin.
A master plan for the Thornton site will be developed in 2026, determining its future use as a combined site for use by the IPS, International Protection Accommodation Services and An Garda Síochána.
International Protection
Questions (190)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:190. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if his Department plans to use a location (details supplied) as accommodation for refugees or applicants for international protection; if so, the date upon which individuals will move to the facility; the number of persons it will accommodate; the public engagement that has taken place on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64248/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Department has not received an offer of accommodation at this location, and is not currently examining this property for use for people fleeing the war in Ukraine, or for international protection accommodation.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (191)
Tom Brabazon
Question:191. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of bike thefts reported to An Garda Síochána, per county, in 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [64268/25]
View answerWritten answers
An Garda Síochána have provided the table below which includes a regional breakdown of incidents reported of type ‘Theft of a Pedal Cycle’ and ‘Unauthorised Taking (Pedal Cycle)’ .
As An Garda Síochána is not aligned operationally to county boundaries and due to some low counts at a Divisional level, a regional breakdown has been provided. Invalidated incidents are not included.
|
Region |
2024 |
2025 |
Total |
|
Dublin Region |
2,802 |
2,402 |
5,204 |
|
Eastern Region |
452 |
388 |
840 |
|
North Western Region |
236 |
188 |
424 |
|
Southern Region |
509 |
466 |
975 |
|
Total |
3,999 |
3,444 |
7,443 |
The Garda authorities have further advised that figures provided are based on incidents reported between 1 January 2024 and 13 November 2025, inclusive. All information is based upon operational data from the PULSE system as was available on 14 November 2025 and is liable to change.
Departmental Data
Questions (192)
Tom Brabazon
Question:192. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of prosecutions for bike theft, per county, in 2024 and so far in 2025, in tabular form. [64269/25]
View answerWritten answers
The management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. As Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration I have no role in these matters.
To be of assistance, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply. The Courts Service also has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Visa Applications
Questions (193)
Claire Kerrane
Question:193. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration when a decision will be made on a “visit a family/friend” visa appeal (details supplied); if new circumstances could be considered to expedite this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64271/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that the visa appeals cited were received on 03 May 2024, and continue to be processed by my Department. Visa appeals are processed in the seven overseas Visa Offices in addition to the Visa Office in Dublin. They are located in Abuja, Beijing, London, Moscow, Ankara, Abu Dhabi and New Delhi.
I can assure the Deputy that while processing times can vary across the different Visa Offices the majority of visa appeals are processed within stated target times. However, some appeals can take considerably longer. Processing times for all appeals are influenced by a number of factors. The time it can take varies depending on the type and complexity of application; individual circumstances; peak application periods; such as holidays or the start of the school year; and, crucially, the quality and completeness of the appeal lodged.
I understand that extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants, and I want to assure anyone who is appealing a visa decision that my Department is doing everything possible to progress these applications as quickly as possible.
The appeals process allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors which gave rise to that decision. All visa applicants are advised that the responsibility is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on my Department's website. People that carefully follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision.
When making an appeal, applicants should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in their refusal letters. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered. People will find further details on the appeals process at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/appeal-a-negative-decision/.
In 2024, approximately 6,585 visa appeals, of all types, were received by the Visa Division of my Department. This reflects an increase of 5%, compared to 2023, with over 314 additional appeals received.
In the first eight months of 2025, my Department’s Visa Division issued 3,981 decisions on appeals, this reflects an increase of 25% compared to the same period in 2024.
Visa and preclearance applications provide legal avenues for people moving to Ireland for employment, study and family reasons and also to facilitate visitors who wish to travel for business and/or tourism. It is important to recall these applications are screening processes, designed to establish that the person has a legitimate reason to come to Ireland prior to travel. Verifying an application is an important part of our immigration system and the checks involved can take time to complete.
Processing times and decisions at my Department’s Dublin Visa Office and the seven overseas Visa Offices can be checked at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/#decisions.
The person concerned can now directly check the status of their visa appeal on the Immigration Service’s Customer Service Portal. They can register for, or log in to their existing account, at:
portal.irishimmigration.ie/en/.
As an Oireachtas member, you can also request the status of individual immigration cases by e-mail, using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: IMoireachtasmail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (194)
Barry Heneghan
Question:194. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the actions he is taking in response to a series of serious assaults and violent incidents reported in the Fairview park area; how his Department is supporting An Garda Síochána, who do excellent work locally, in providing the increased visibility, resources and operational capacity needed to respond to these incidents; if he accepts that, while local community safety partnerships have an important role, issues of violent crime require a direct policing-led response [64280/25]
View answerWritten answers
Any assaults against members of the public are totally unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I would encourage anyone who has been a victim of or witnessed crime in the area to report it to An Garda Síochána without delay.
I engage regularly with the Garda Commissioner to ensure that he has the resources that he needs to fight crime, and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda organisation is central to this policy. This is reflected in the record allocation of €2.59 billion in the Garda Vote for 2026 which will support the continued recruitment of Gardaí and Garda staff.
The Garda budget will fund the recruitment of up to 1,000 new Gardaí, 200 more Garda staff and a doubling of the Garda Reserve to over 600 next year. An additional 392,000 overtime hours will meet the sustained demand for a visible and responsive policing presence.
Recruitment to An Garda Síochána is gathering momentum and we now have a steady pipeline of new recruits entering Garda College. 194 new Gardaí attested from the Garda College last week and to date in 2025, 39 probationer Gardaí have been assigned to stations in the DMR North Division.
I have been assured by the Garda Commissioner that the high visibility policing plan in place in Central Dublin will continue and the Commissioner has outlined his plan to replicate this approach in other areas of the DMR.
Along with increasing Garda numbers and Garda visibility, the Government is supporting ongoing actions to tackle anti-social behaviour and build safer communities, including:
• Continuing the expansion of youth justice and youth diversion measures.
• Introducing Community Safety Partnerships around the country, to develop Community Safety Plans for every area.
• Piloting Garda body-cams in three locations (Dublin, Waterford, Limerick) with national roll-out to follow. Budget 2026 includes €19 million to begin the national roll-out of Body Worn Cameras at scale.
The Government’s investment in Youth Justice initiatives was boosted by €7.3 million in Budget 2026, to €43 million, a 22% increase on Budget 2025.
From An Garda Síochána's perspective, a long-term strategic approach to tackle anti-social behaviour in communities assists in addressing potential problems before they arise. An Garda Síochána work collaboratively with Local Authorities, community leaders and groups to find solutions to problems associated with anti-social behaviour.
I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána will always be on hand to respond to serious incidents, implement local policing plans as necessary and provide crime prevention advice to address the needs of the communities they serve.
Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSP) represent a significant step towards a more collaborative, responsive, and locally driven model of public safety. They will bring together a broad range of relevant stakeholders to address community safety issues in their area which will include residents, local councillors, community representatives business and education representatives, and a range of public services including the HSE, Tusla, An Garda Síochána and the local authority. A core part of their work will be to draft a Community Safety Plan tailored to the community's needs.
My Department has also examined and introduced initiatives to tackle knife crime, responses to anti-social behaviour in housing complexes, the misuse of scramblers and quadbikes and the powers available to An Garda Síochána in relation to public order offences.
The Government is determined to take both immediate and long-term measures to tackle all forms of crime and build safer communities for us all to enjoy.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (195)
Barry Heneghan
Question:195. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of new Garda recruits assigned to the DMR North Division in the years 2021 to 2024, and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64285/25]
View answerWritten answers
In the interest of transparency, information in relation to the allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station, including for the DMR North Division, is publicly available and can be found at the following link:
www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/human-resources-and-people-development/garda-hr-directorate/garda-strength-breakdown-2025/ .
The Deputy should select the current month and access the file titled “Allocation of Probationer Gardaí by Division and Station 2015 to the most recent date” for a breakdown of total Probationer Gardaí numbers by Garda station going back to 2015.
The Deputy may also wish to note that I understand that a further 11 probationer Gardaí have been assigned to the DMR North Division arising from the most recent attestation from the Garda college on the 14 November.
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution and stationing of Garda personnel throughout the State under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (196)
Conor D. McGuinness
Question:196. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of promotions from the rank of inspector to superintendent within An Garda Síochána that has occurred in the years 2024 and to-date in 2025, in tabular form. [64301/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.
The table below has been provided to me by the Garda authorities and outlines the number of promotions from the rank of Inspector to Superintendent within An Garda Síochána in the years 2024 and to-date in 2025.
|
Year |
Number of Promotions |
|
2024 |
16 |
|
2025 to date |
3 |
Immigration Policy
Questions (197, 198, 199)
Matt Carthy
Question:197. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of incidences of students holding an immigration stamp 2 permission that have been found to be in breach of the restrictions on working hours (20 hours per week during term time) for each of the past five years, and in 2025 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64306/25]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:198. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Irish immigration residence permissions issued to students pursuing educational courses in the State in 2025 to date, and in each of the past five years, by type of educational course, university or English language school, and by country of origin, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64307/25]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:199. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of Irish immigration residence permissions issued to students pursuing educational courses which have been terminated in 2025 to date, and in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64308/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 197, 198 and 199 together.
I can advise the Deputy that international students from outside the EU/EEA are granted a permission on Stamp 2 conditions where they have enrolled on, and commenced a course listed on the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
Stamp 2 permissions issued by nationality and year
|
- |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Brazilian |
7,143 |
16,235 |
18,058 |
15,317 |
|
Indian |
5,334 |
6,924 |
8,927 |
12,214 |
|
Chinese |
2,507 |
3,451 |
4,176 |
4,663 |
|
American |
1,838 |
2,269 |
2,565 |
2,648 |
|
Canadian |
1,290 |
1,382 |
1,434 |
1,690 |
|
Mexican |
1,194 |
3,227 |
3,738 |
3,607 |
|
Malaysian |
990 |
1,313 |
1,342 |
1,392 |
|
Turkish |
927 |
2,676 |
1,931 |
971 |
|
Nigerian |
791 |
841 |
847 |
860 |
|
Kuwaiti |
605 |
782 |
840 |
821 |
|
Chilean |
475 |
2,495 |
2,445 |
2,123 |
|
Pakistani |
376 |
519 |
783 |
1,072 |
|
Bolivian |
321 |
1,205 |
1,968 |
918 |
|
Mongolian |
197 |
1,195 |
1,884 |
2,227 |
|
All others |
4,729 |
8,331 |
9,944 |
10,378 |
|
Total |
28,717 |
52,845 |
60,882 |
60,901 |
*Please note, figures are correct at time of issue, however, all statistics may be subject to data cleansing.
** Numbers reflect those required to register/renew in a calendar year. Most renewals are annual. However, there may be students that were required to register/renew multiple times in the same calendar year. These numbers per year should not be summed to an overall total but rather reflect the number required to register/renew in that calendar year.
Information regarding the educational institution a person is attending is recorded on each individual person’s file but is not available in a manner which allows detailed data to be extracted in the manner sought by the Deputy.
The primary purpose of the Stamp 2 is to provide opportunities for study in Ireland. All applicants must show that they have sufficient funds to support their stay in Ireland without recourse to public funds, or the reliance on casual employment. Stamp 2 holders may, however, engage in casual employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during school term and 40 hours per week during holidays.
In the event that Immigration Service Delivery become aware that a student is in breach of the working hours permitted under Stamp 2 immigration conditions, they will investigate each individual case accordingly. Statistics are not available on the number of students who have had their immigration permission terminated for breaching the conditions of the scheme.
Question No. 198 answered with Question No. 197.
Question No. 199 answered with Question No. 197.
Immigration Policy
Questions (200, 201, 202)
Matt Carthy
Question:200. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of inspections carried out of English language schools by immigration officials in 2025 to date, and in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64309/25]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:201. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the details of all reviews and assessments that have been carried out by his Department into the quality and standard of courses provided by English language schools in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64310/25]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:202. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of inspections carried out by immigration inspectors of compliance with minimum standards of English for students applying for Irish immigration residence permissions in 2025 to date, and in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64311/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 200, 201 and 202 together.
In order for a non-EEA national student to register for a stamp 2 permission they must enrol and commence a course of study from the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP).
Education providers were required to have met certain standards and requirements to have their programmes included on the ILEP and be accredited by recognised Irish awarding bodies. Providers must remain in compliance with the relevant criteria to retain a listing on the ILEP. Instances of non-compliance may result in removal from the ILEP.
My Department monitors activities and conducts inspections to determine ongoing compliance with immigration requirements and ILEP criteria. Any education provider may be subject to unannounced inspections, on-line monitoring, or random spot checks to ensure its compliance with ILEP criteria, and this includes the maintenance of records and reports. These may be requested by my Department at any time and failure to do so can result in the removal of a provider from the ILEP.
The table below shows the number of inspections carried out by my Department from 2020, up to 31 October 2025.
|
Year |
Compliance inspections |
|
2020 |
7 |
|
2021 |
0* |
|
2022 |
2 |
|
2023 |
3 |
|
2024 |
2** |
|
2025 (up to 31 October) |
4 |
* It was necessary to halt inspections during the pandemic due to the public health restrictions. However, monitoring activities still continued, involving routine or specific requests for records and information relating to compliance with requirements and sector-wide surveys.
**Up to and including 2024, the Garda National Immigration Bureau carried out further inspections for counties within their remit before the transfer of registration functions to my Department was complete.
Inspections are only one piece of a suite of compliance activities. Once a provider is listed on the ILEP, they are required to notify ISD of matters such as, but not limited to, any changes to the ownership of the school, change in locations or additional centres, changes to their academic management or teachers, and student capacity numbers.
ILEP is being superseded by TrustEd Ireland, the international education mark launched in September 2024 by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. TrustEd Ireland is a new statutory quality mark and part of a suite of legislative measures designed to further protect international learners.
Once the ILEP is discontinued, only education providers granted authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland mark will be eligible to recruit students from outside the EEA to English language programmes, foundation programmes and higher education programmes leading to awards within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).
The new mark will be awarded to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet national standards to ensure a quality experience for international learners from pre-enrolment through to the completion of their programme of education and training. Applications are currently being reviewed for the first application cycle, which closed in March 2025. Decisions are scheduled to issue in January 2026.
Question No. 201 answered with Question No. 200.
Question No. 202 answered with Question No. 200.